Friday, 21 October 2011

Postcard from 1943

We've been lucky enough to enjoy another wonderful stay in the charming North Yorkshire town of Pickering this last week, something which is becoming a little ritual for our family, staying in the same super cottage right on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway for the last few years now. The highlight, though it's hard to choose, is the annual wartime weekend which the railway held last Friday, Saturday and Sunday. What a superb weekend it was! Step back with us to 1943...

There's really far too much to fit in on these weekends! Each station has its own events going on, this year Whitby joined in at one end of the line, and the main focus is Pickering at the other end, the whole town joining in is what makes this event so special. The boys are pretty keen on a bit of loco spotting, of course.

Is there a better, more classy way to travel than by steam train? Especially when travelling in an authentic 1930's teak coach.

The NYMR enjoys a relatively long stretch of track for a preserved railway (most were closed, mainly back in the 1960s), being approximately 18 miles long. The most stunning scenery accompanies your journey.

When not enjoying a trip by rail, there are so many other things to do during this weekend. There were more dealers than ever present in Pickering's station yard and it takes a pretty long time to go through all the stock on offer. There's the inevitable 1980's gear passed off as vintage at inappropriate prices but also some truly wonderful original finds to be made including real CC41 items. I still think the price of much true vintage is excellent given it is a unique quality piece of history. (More of the particularly splendid two vintage 1940's dresses I found this weekend another time.)

The stall holders usually look fab themselves and are very helpful if you are looking for particular items or to recreate a whole look. One thing I have learned is always to take along your tape measure and know your own measurements well (no cheating!) One of our favourite dealers told me that a vintage size 12 has a 30.5" bust!

There were opportunities for people watching a-plenty. So many people dress up for this event, it's really super.

Time to refuel? There are friendly ladies running the NAAFI on the station platform, complete with vintage pinnies. This side of the platform is reserved for re-enactors/those in period dress so always offers a top photo opportunity.

On the way into town, we spot make do and mend felt brooches for sale. A lady after my own heart!

The jewel in the town's crown and a must-visit for us where we are always greeted by friendly faces, is the shop Reeds, where fellow blogger Anne and her lovely friends turn her gift shop above the newsagents into a wonderful vintage tea room, just for the one weekend.

The Munchkin finds it impossible to choose between all the delights on offer!

Can you blame him?

Another day, another outfit!

What a thoroughly brilliant time we had. Do we really have to wait another year for the next?

What a wonderful weekend, I love everything about it! I know I don't comment much, but I hae to tell you that I read every one of your blog posts, and some of my favorites are when you and the family go off on these period weekends. All of you look brilliant! Your son is a doll, and he looks like he thoroughly enjoys himself. Thanks for sharing your family outings with us, that gift shop turned tea room is right up my alley! Have a great day!Lisalisasteatime.blogspot.com

You all look amazing and obviously had a great time. We look the steam railways too and go toa local 1940s (small) weekend here each year, but it is not quite up to the standard of Pickering...one day!

I always love looking at your piccies from 1940;s events you have been to!

I have just been looking on ebay for evacuee outfits actually. My daughter's school is having a Home Front Day and so we have to put an outfit together for her - with gasmask box, then research what they would have taken for pack lunch and put that together for the day and lastly make an item to put in the "museum" for the day. Am quite looking forward to it, but any hints would be much appreciated!! -x-

I absolutely adore your posts!!! I only wish my dear da was still with us because he would have just loved seeing you all dressed...especially your darlin boy...what fun you all have and what memories you are making for your wonderful son..I don.t know if anyone does this in the states...they should!! I may have to make a trip to merry old just for one!!!

Dear Hen.. oh your post was a delight!! Did you know my husband was a railroad engineer for 30 years? He worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad and then it was bought by the Union Pacific RR. So, needless to say I adore seeing your vintage trains and outfits and all. You look simply gorgeous in that outfit!! Thanks for visiting my blog and catching up - and for the very VERY sweet comments. Your blog friend from Oregon, USA.. Teresa :-)

It seemed to be a wonderful weekend! Thank you so much to go with us on this yourney through time. I allways enjoy reading your blog posts, especially when you are sharing this type of events with us! Thank you so much! Kindest regardsNicole

What a wonderful, fun time! Love the pics, but especially the wardrobe. Ahhh, vintage clothing.. does it get any better? Everyone looks perfect. Wish I had a reason to dress up! ;) Thanks for sharing! -Tammy

What fun! And I really want one of those flowery wrapover pinnies - when I was small our daily used to wear one of those - she even had the black lace up shoes, too. I can just see myself skipping about in a pinny dress! You of course are looking far more chic than that - more like the employer of a pinny wearer!

You're looking very glamorous in the photos - it looks like a lovely time.

Is Munchkin studying WW2 and reading Carrie's War at school this year? I'm assuming that as he's just turned ten, he'll be in Year 5. If he is then I'm sure he'll be in his element and will be the font of all knowledge for his friends...and probably his teachers! x

It was really lovely to meet you and your family when you popped in for some yumminess at 'Madges Tea Room' upstairs in Reeds. Just had a read of you lovely blog, you all looked amazing, can't wait to see your 1940's purchases.

Hopefully see you again next year, hope me feet have recovered by then.

How lovely that all three of you enjoy these wonderful excursions and you all look so authentic! I live close to the Bluebell Railway, but unfortunately they don't host any vintage events. Perhaps I should have a word?!

These weekends's success really does rely on the contributions made by folks like your family. That so many folks enter into the spirit and fun of the events really seems to guarantee that a true atmosphere is achieved.

I can well understand why you all are now looking forward to next autumn's train ride and stops along the way.

Such fun! I wish we had something like that here in the states. I have always loved the forties. Seems people knew how to pull together then and the fashions are so wonderful. Loved seeing all the people dressed in their finest forties clothes.

I always love your posts of days out vintage style. I'm glad you mentioned vintage sizing .. when I have looked on various online sites at vintage clothing the sizes are so petite, I have never mananged to find anything in my size yet.

I thought you were in Yorkshire, Love the outfit with the fur stole, your looking very glam Hen. Weve been on that railway, it is wonderful experience. Everyone looks so well turned out, a lovely era, an olutfit not complete without hat and gloves.

ooh I've been waiting for this post.Fabulous photos you and your family look lovely I don't know how you managed to get them all involved I am still working on my hubby. Glad you all enjoyed yourself up here in my neck of the woods I love reeds shop it one of the best shops in this area .xx fee

Great photos.Whilst I was wallowing in the fashions, many of which survived into my 1950's childhood) I suddenly saw 'my' childhood pushchair - cream with shiny mudguards over the wheels! You all look very stylish.

Oh Hen, you all look fabulous, just fabulous :o)Please tell your Munchkin he can evacuate here if he'd like! ;o)

Goddness me, if a Vintage size 12 is 30.5" that must make me...erm...just a large I think! ;o)But they did so look glamorous in those days, as you do Hen! I mean everyone just made the effort every day. And even though it was all rationed for a long time, they had such a healthy diet didn't they?

I'm looking forward to seeing your dresses.Thankyou so much for sharing your wonderful weekend Hen.I hope you're having a just as nice one this weekend too:o)Take care,Donna xx

Hi,HenWhat a lovely post thanks for the mention and thanks for such wonderful photos.The event would not be the same withoutlovey folk like team Hen going to all the trouble to take part so wholeheartedly.I am sad that I cant get to the dealers as I'm at school on Friday-I am determined to try and buy an authentic outfit for next year.I have a dealer friend and she like me cannot fit into any of her amazing dresses.So diet it is....You all look amazing and frankly you should come next year because I'm sure that Munchkin will get more educational benefit and stimulus from the weekend than he would from missing a few days at school.We look forward to seeing you next year and we must make a definite date to meet and have a proper chat.We are going to do the tearoom on the Sunday too.Lovely to see you.Much love Anne x

Goodness! I have just found your blog. I have long been an Anglophile. I especially like Wartime history and stories. I think I will have lots of fun reading your blog. I think NOSTALGIA drives most of us!

I love reading your blog. Everyone is a treasure, and I especially love the period events. I wish I lived over there so I could enjoy them first hand!BTW..munchkin is just too perfect in the period clothing!

Hi Hen, nice to meet you. We are not far away from the NYMR - infact we get free tickets as hubby does work for the railway. We were in Grosmont that weekend - am sure I recognise you now, looking at the photos.

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About Me

Hello and thank you for visiting the HenHouse. I'm a stay-at-home thirty-something mum looking after Mr HenHouse and the Munchkin, aged 13 (going on 18). We also have a gorgeous and very spoiled ginger tom, Charlie Boy. Sadly we had to say goodbye to our two other furry boys this year. We have recently moved from the city to our dream home in the West Country. I have always loved vintage and have collections of eiderdowns, china and fabrics to name just a few. I love sewing and am an avid patchworker and quilter. As a family, we are dotty about the past and love the 1940s, often dressing up for re-enactment events. To fund my fabric habit, I sell handmade items in my Etsy shop. I'm pretty nutty about interiors, too and our homes have been featured in various magazines.